[Freshman] Should I withdraw from a B-?

[ZeroTouchMeNot]

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Dear all,

So I just got my midterm grade back yesterday, and I only got a B- for my Chemistry. I have A's for all of my other classes except for it. Should I withdraw from it and take it again next time? For our syllabus, the final counts for 40% of our grade.

Thanks!

 

[ciestar]

Nope

 

[KakashiH]

No. You still have almost half of your grade left.

Sent from my SM-G935T using SDN mobile

 

[Detective SnowBucket]

Really don't worry about it. You've probably not even completed your first 12 credits of college yet so it'll make a big dent in your GPA and look terrifying but as you move on it'll diminish. I got a B- in chem 1 as well (hardest 1000 lvl course I ever took, calling it a 1000 lvl is BS). But if you can keep the rest of your class grades up, don't worry about it. Its more worth it to finish it, even if you end up with a B- so that you don't have to rush to get your pre-req's done on time. CHeers!

 

[Sosaveli]

I got a B- in Ochem 1 & Ochem 2 and I got in. Just show academic growth through an upward trend and make it a one time thing.

 

[ChymeofPassion]

A B or two won't kill you. But with the median matriculation GPA at 3.7, and probably will be around 3.8 by the time you apply, don't make it a habit.

GPA is forever.

 

[Isoval]

No.

Withdrawing from a B is pretty up there on "list of stupid mistakes premeds make". I would even generally be hard-pressed to recommend withdrawal from a C.

You'll be fine.

 

[mass-premed66]

What’s important is an upward trend! You still have time to turn this grade around but even if you can’t, one B- isn’t going to kill you. (I got a 2.93 my sophomore fall but have a strong upward trend after that)

 

[Icebird]

No.

I would only withdraw if it is probable you are going to fail the course.

 

[sadboi101]

I applied with a couple of B's and a C (in an upper-level engineering class, but a C nevertheless) and I've got 4 acceptances so far so don't worry! Just keep working, the admissions folks understand we aren't robots lol

 

[Turkishking]

No that’s stupid a B- is fine lol

 

[deleted987519]

I’d consider dropping out...

 

[Blueprint Med School]

Dear all,

So I just got my midterm grade back yesterday, and I only got a B- for my Chemistry. I have A's for all of my other classes except for it. Should I withdraw from it and take it again next time? For our syllabus, the final counts for 40% of our grade.

Thanks!

Nahhh, don't fall into that trap that you need a 4.0 to get in. Anything 3.5 and above 'checks the box' and people even get in below that. I got in with a 3.26 by having a strong science and good trend over time. I even failed a yoga class (kept oversleeping) and look at me now.

Don't believe you have to be perfect. You got this!

David D, MD - USMLE and MCAT Tutor
Med School Tutors

 

[ajc009]

No dude. Chill

 

[AMCASTuesdays]

Dear all,

So I just got my midterm grade back yesterday, and I only got a B- for my Chemistry. I have A's for all of my other classes except for it. Should I withdraw from it and take it again next time? For our syllabus, the final counts for 40% of our grade.

Thanks!

No question I'd say no, esp not as a freshman, and not w a GPA like yours. I got a B- in a class for my major freshman year and freaked out too, but it ended up meaning nothing in the grand scheme of things. I think trends are more important (and maybe someone more experienced can comment but I think B-'s are easier to explain than W's). You have 3 years of classes still to come, I would focus on those. Plus, this is a midterm grade right? You have time to improve that grade.

 

[LizzyM]

To graduate college you usually need 120 credits. Each credit is worth up to 4 points toward your GPA.
If you get a B- in a 4 credit class, you earn 2.67 points times 4 credits for a total of 10.67 points out of a possible 16. If you otherwise had a 4.0 over 120 units, that 5.33 deficit would drop your 4.0 GPA (480 points/120 credits) to a 474.67/120 or a 3.955. Small potatoes, right? If you took additional courses and received a grade greater than B-, the points that single course contributes to your GPA would be even less. Do not lose hope.